Luke Collins | London Photographer

10 Years Cancer-Free. Today! 🙌🏽🙏🏽 For some, this would be a day to forget. For others, they might fret that I’m tempting fate. For me, however, this is a day to be celebrated; a day to mark the occasion, to revel in the victories hard-earned, to reflect on past hardships but most of all, to celebrate life! Going through something like cancer, at any age, of any degree of severity, is to go through hell. I’ve alluded to my personal story, at length, in the next slide for anyone that might care to read it. But for me, the story had a happy ending. No, not that kind of happy ending guys, jeeeez! 😂 Sucks that you can’t say that expression without sounding dodgy as hell nowadays. These past 10 years have bestowed upon me great fortune, great experience and memories to behold for a lifetime and beyond. And great things have come of my tumultuous time fighting lymphoma. I now treat those with cancer as a nurse in the incredible, incredible NHS and am able to give back. I have found photography, even if I’m still super amateur, at least I’m enjoying it and finding my way. And I have found you guys! You guys who support me and my journey, post after post. Thank you. If there’s one piece of advice I can impart, having gone through all of this, well, you’ll find it on the next slide. But basically, it’s this. Know how lucky you truly are. Health is wealth. Life is a gift. #towerbridge #londonbridge #sunsetgram #uk_shooters #visitlondon #visitlondonofficial #londonsunset #metroldn #londonpics #towerbridgesunset #londonphotography #londondisclosure #mysecretlondon #londonguru #itssolondon #thisislondon #london_enthusiast #london4all #london #londoncityworld #citysunset #sunsetoftheday #sunsetmadness #sunsetcaptures #sunsetmag #sunsetshots #sunsetpic #sunsetlove #sunsetting #sunsetaddict

Better Days Ahead ———————————————————————— If you’re feeling down and out; if you’re feeling like life is beating you down and you can’t catch a break; if you’re downtrodden, low in mood and searching frantically for a way out of your predicament, then this is for you. You who feels lost, out of sorts and defeated; you who longs for some respite and relief; you who yearns for a change of fortune. Better days are ahead... ▪️ Keep your head down and your spirits high. Plan for the worst but always hope for the best. Stay strong, resolute and determined and above all believe in yourself and your ability to carve out a better future for yourself. But whatever you do, never give up. Never surrender. Bliss awaits those who fight for it. ▪️ So dust off your shoulders and stand for what you believe in. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. 👊🏽 ————————————————————————

My Favourite Photo I’ve been asked quite a few times now what my favourite photo (that I’ve taken) is. Well, here it is, 4 years on, re-edited multiple times but still as fun to look at as the day I took it. Why is it my favourite photo? Well, I touch on that in the next slide where I fully explain the story behind the shot but it really boils down to what the photo actually does, which is to tell a story and many stories all in one. It’s the story of Londoners who get a bad rap for being closed off; aloof, in a hurry, unwelcoming, hard and generally not very pleasant; the story of those very same Londoners, who as we see here, are still people just like you and I - people who at the end of the day do want to be part of something, who do want to get involved and who can smile. Yes okay, you’ll always have a few grumpy so ‘n sos who just want nothing to do with you but this day was wild. I was so shocked by the willingness of so many people at the most tiring part of the day, to just...get involved. And all because some guy said he was entering a photo competition! Madness. This photo means a great deal to me and for those that may ask how I got it, as I said, swipe left. But when all is said and done, this will always be the greatest city on Earth, in my humble opinion. Home, to the greatest people. A truly global city. #thisislondon #london #underground #visitlondon #mysecretlondon #itssolondon #london4all #londonphoto #londondecanted #londontube #creativeoptic #agameoftones #lensbible #urbanromantix #transportforlondon #citygrammers #citykillerz #eclectic_shotz #fatalframes #ShotzDelight #urbanandstreet #photosofbritain #uk_shooters #toneception #timeoutlondon #theimaged #milliondollarvisuals #agameoftones #artofvisuals #streetshared

But why though? 🤔 The more pertinent question is ‘why not?’. I made this ages ago and maybe it’s not really suited to today’s landscape but hey, so what? I hope you’re all having a good week! #photographyreels #montagevideo #londonphotography

Are you interested in learning about locations in London where you can take great photographs that most tourists and even many locals don’t know about? Well, here’s a selection I’ve rustled up for you! 1) Shad Thames - a stone’s throw from the world’s most famous bridge. If people only knew to walk a few extra steps, they’d find this hidden gem. I’ve always been surprised by how few people know about this area; its beauty, charm and the insane potential for a great shot!! 2) One New Change - not one mile from St Paul’s Cathredral, you’ll come across this shopping centre or mall if you will that is home to incredible architecture, crazy angles and oh yeah, some half decent shops and a Nando’s! (Britain’s favourite peri peri chicken - (I’m not sponsored!) but hey I wouldn’t say no! Hit me up, Nando’s!) 😅 3) The Reflection Garden at St Paul’s - a fairly new (I think) area in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral that offers some wonderful reflection shot opportunities. 4) More London - an area inbetween London Bridge station and Tower Bridge that is home to a passage nicely framed by office buildings and shops either side with Tower Bridge as the pay off at the end! 5) The Roof Terrace at One New Change - atop the aforementioned One New Change - home to said peri peri chicken - there is a viewing platform with panoramic views of London, notably St Paul’s as it’s so close. It’s a worthwhile visit. 6) The Westminster Station & Big Ben look-up - whilst everyone else is snapping simple shots of Big Ben (and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!) you’ll know that if you can find this underground sign, you can line it up with Big Ben and get a cool composition! 7) And yes - virtually any underground station will offer you a great many photo opportunities! Just be wary, the staff get irked somewhat with people taking photos down there. No idea why! Save these for later and maybe share with a friend who’s travelling to London soon!! #londonphotospots #londonlocations #morelondon #shotonfujifilm #secretlondon

No place in London means more to me. I’ve lived here; worked here; met countless friends and been on so many adventures here. I even met my fiancée here. London Bridge is such a special place. Where’s your special place? #movingpostcards #londonbridge #videography #shotonfujifilm #london

Share this with a friend who needs some encouragement. ♥️ There are endless stories to be told - especially in London. This city really is any street photographer’s paradise! #visualstoryteller #streetphoto #londonphotographer #momentsintime

Let’s go underground! Hopefully some amongst you find some benefit from these simple compositional and editing tips and tricks. Why not try some of these on your next photography outing? Honestly, any modern city’s underground network is an absolute goldmine for amazing photos. The angles! The stories! The people! The everything. It’s one of my favourite places to shoot. Let me know which one your favourite is and if any of these helped you. All shot on the Fujifilm XT5 which makes an appearance on the first slide! It’s an absolutely amazing camera and I’m loving the recipes but I must admit, I do miss an edit from start to finish! Can anyone else relate? #londonphoto #streetphotography #fujifilm #londonunderground #photographytipsandtricks

If you’re anything like me, you’ll love how this day ended! Join me for an afternoon of London street photography with @douguerreotype . The lesson of the day here is that things don’t always go the way we planned them. We head out all excited, eager to capture a swathe of bangers only to be frustrated time after time. Missed moments. Misfocussing. Even the odd injury! 👀 As long as we remember to be present and live the lift that’s right in front of us, we’ve never really lost out. The photos will come. We go again. #londonstreetphotography #shotonfujifilm

How terribly British it is to pass comment upon the weather but hey, it’s been pretty wonderful lately. Perfect for street photography. ☀️📸 Speaking of flowers, however, I have to say - this Spring has absolutely killed me - death by pollen! Brighter days are ahead people. Believe. In other news, I’m planning a new creative approach and this is - kind of - a little segue into that. #london #streetphotography #photographer #londonliving [london photography] [street photography] [capturing light] [light and shadow] [song lyrics] [audiovisuals] [street photo] [lodnon spring]

London is always a good idea. Isn’t it?! #cinematic #london #videography #fujifilm

Inextinguishable We’ve all been there - on the wrong side of someone else’s actions. Sometimes we are so wronged that it affects us deeply, often in ways we don’t even realise. Not at the point of impact, anyway. It’s now a few years on since such a thing happened to me. A comprehensive betrayal laced in deceit, shrouded in duplicity and weaponised by gaslighting dismantled my life. And it required every ounce, every reserve of strength to navigate and overcome. When these things happen. We change. It’s inevitable. And in the midst of such chaos and uncertainty, we often ‘misplace’ certain aspects of our character. So it proved, my creative spark was diminished. But not extinguished. What was probably the hardest period of my life turned out to be God’s will and His greatest gift. I am happy. I am safe. I am cared for and I am blessed. And what’s more, that creative spark never died. And it never will. Photography, the creative process, video editing; they’ve always been great loves of mine. I believe all human beings have an innate need within them to create. And to share. That is no different with me. So, here we are…alive and kicking. In conclusion, if you’re going through a tough time, know that ‘this too, shall pass’ and that which makes you feel alive, those passions of yours; be it a love for photography, creative writing or collecting rare and unique stamps, can never, ever be taken from you. They are inextinguishable! Please enjoy this street photography series from the timeless streets of London and do kindly let me know your thoughts. It’s all love, baby. ♥️ ——— Camera: Fujifilm XT5 #photography #fujifilm #streetphotography #londoninthesun #xt5